Published: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 9:46 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 10:19 p.m.

One came from Halifax Health, a public hospital system based in Daytona Beach that has been a part of the community since 1928. The other came from Naples-based Health Management Associates, a for-profit hospital chain that operates 22 hospitals in Florida and has been growing rapidly.

The hospital systems are seeking to partner with Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach. The 112-bed Bert Fish is seeking a partner to remain viable and survive in the changing health-care landscape. Representatives from the chains made presentations at Edgewater City Hall to the Southeast Volusia Hospital District's Board of Commissioners, which will decide Bert Fish's future.

In an effort to entice their interest, the two suitors pledged to invest money into Bert Fish, engage in a clinical affiliation with Orlando Health and reduce the community's tax burden, while at the same time keeping existing employees on at comparable levels of pay and benefits.

Halifax Health representatives stressed the need to maintain local control over the community's medical services, placing an emphasis on its longstanding presence in Volusia County.

"Quite simply the rising tide does indeed lift all boats," said John Johnson, chairman of the Halifax Health Board of Commissioners and president of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. "If we roll up our sleeves and work together, we can strengthen ourselves financially, we can strengthen ourselves clinically and we can provide better health care services."

HMA officials say their business model emphasizes community-focused health care. They said they have the resources to capture some of the 70 percent of Southeast Volusia residents who are leaving the community to seek care elsewhere, while at the same abolishing hospital taxes in Southeast Volusia in seven years and keeping existing charity care policies in place.

"Health care is local," said Gary Newsome, HMA's CEO. "It is very local. We believe that. We espouse that."

In its written proposal, Halifax Health is offering an interlocal agreement and is committing to invest $65 million over the next 10 years. In terms of governance, the Southeast Volusia Hospital District's Board of Commissioners would retain 50 percent representation and cast the deciding vote in the event of service reductions or eliminations.

Halifax officials say they will also cut Southeast Volusia's hospital taxes in half in five years.

HMA submitted two possibilities to Bert Fish. The first would be a long-term lease with a pledge to invest $40 million over 10 years. The hospital district would also receive a $50 million payment. An advisory board of local representatives would be created, but HMA would govern the hospital.

The second option would involve a joint venture in which HMA would take an 80 percent ownership stake. The Southeast Volusia Hospital District would hold half of the seats on the hospital's governing board, but HMA would have the power to decide deadlocks.

Both Halifax and HMA are facing allegations they improperly admitted patients to generate revenue, and their representatives fielded questions about the allegations. Hospital officials from both chains denied them and said they shouldn't affect Bert Fish's future.

An investigation by the CBS television news show '60 Minutes,' featuring interviews with more than 100 former and current employees, accused HMA of pressuring physicians to admit patients strictly to generate revenue. The federal government is investigating. Meanwhile, Halifax Health is the subject of a federal whistleblower lawsuit accusing doctors of performing unnecessary procedures.

Halifax Health and HMA were finalists during a botched merger attempt by Bert Fish two years ago. Ultimately, Bert Fish's board voted to merge with Adventist Health System, which operates five hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties under the name Florida Hospital. A judge subsequently voided the deal on the grounds it was conducted in private in violation of the Sunshine Law, which requires the public's business be conducted in open meetings.

Bert Fish hospital commissioners plan to meet in March to discuss the presentations.

<p>EDGEWATER &mdash; Two visions for Southeast Volusia's health care future were outlined Wednesday. </p><p>One came from Halifax Health, a public hospital system based in Daytona Beach that has been a part of the community since 1928. The other came from Naples-based Health Management Associates, a for-profit hospital chain that operates 22 hospitals in Florida and has been growing rapidly. </p><p>The hospital systems are seeking to partner with Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach. The 112-bed Bert Fish is seeking a partner to remain viable and survive in the changing health-care landscape. Representatives from the chains made presentations at Edgewater City Hall to the Southeast Volusia Hospital District's Board of Commissioners, which will decide Bert Fish's future. </p><p>In an effort to entice their interest, the two suitors pledged to invest money into Bert Fish, engage in a clinical affiliation with Orlando Health and reduce the community's tax burden, while at the same time keeping existing employees on at comparable levels of pay and benefits. </p><p>Halifax Health representatives stressed the need to maintain local control over the community's medical services, placing an emphasis on its longstanding presence in Volusia County. </p><p>"Quite simply the rising tide does indeed lift all boats," said John Johnson, chairman of the Halifax Health Board of Commissioners and president of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. "If we roll up our sleeves and work together, we can strengthen ourselves financially, we can strengthen ourselves clinically and we can provide better health care services." </p><p>HMA officials say their business model emphasizes community-focused health care. They said they have the resources to capture some of the 70 percent of Southeast Volusia residents who are leaving the community to seek care elsewhere, while at the same abolishing hospital taxes in Southeast Volusia in seven years and keeping existing charity care policies in place. </p><p>"Health care is local," said Gary Newsome, HMA's CEO. "It is very local. We believe that. We espouse that." </p><p>In its written proposal, Halifax Health is offering an interlocal agreement and is committing to invest $65 million over the next 10 years. In terms of governance, the Southeast Volusia Hospital District's Board of Commissioners would retain 50 percent representation and cast the deciding vote in the event of service reductions or eliminations. </p><p>Halifax officials say they will also cut Southeast Volusia's hospital taxes in half in five years. </p><p>HMA submitted two possibilities to Bert Fish. The first would be a long-term lease with a pledge to invest $40 million over 10 years. The hospital district would also receive a $50 million payment. An advisory board of local representatives would be created, but HMA would govern the hospital. </p><p>The second option would involve a joint venture in which HMA would take an 80 percent ownership stake. The Southeast Volusia Hospital District would hold half of the seats on the hospital's governing board, but HMA would have the power to decide deadlocks. </p><p>Both Halifax and HMA are facing allegations they improperly admitted patients to generate revenue, and their representatives fielded questions about the allegations. Hospital officials from both chains denied them and said they shouldn't affect Bert Fish's future. </p><p>An investigation by the CBS television news show '60 Minutes,' featuring interviews with more than 100 former and current employees, accused HMA of pressuring physicians to admit patients strictly to generate revenue. The federal government is investigating. Meanwhile, Halifax Health is the subject of a federal whistleblower lawsuit accusing doctors of performing unnecessary procedures. </p><p>Halifax Health and HMA were finalists during a botched merger attempt by Bert Fish two years ago. Ultimately, Bert Fish's board voted to merge with Adventist Health System, which operates five hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties under the name Florida Hospital. A judge subsequently voided the deal on the grounds it was conducted in private in violation of the Sunshine Law, which requires the public's business be conducted in open meetings. </p><p>Bert Fish hospital commissioners plan to meet in March to discuss the presentations.</p>